Soapy water for Aphids?

Dunkel · June 18, 2006

I try to garden as close to organic as possible. I noticed quite a few aphids on the underside of some foliage while I was tying up my maters today. I read somewhere about using 2 TBSP of Dawn dish washing liquid per 1 gallon of water as a cure. Has anyone used this method and if so does it hurt the foliage at all? Also on a limited budget so BT and other organic controls will only be used as a last resort if my plants start getting destroyed. Thanks in advance.

Goddessemer6 · June 18, 2006

Dawn will not hurt your foliage. I spray dawn and water on all my plants veggie or not when I see aphids...I usually mix in some kelp into the spray bottle as well when I spray to give the plants a little boost so they can recover. The dawn is a biodegradable surfactant which makes the kelp stick to the leaves of plants better, instead of dripping off.

PS- Dawn is also phosphate free, which means it's the ideal soap to bring with you camping for dishes as it doesn't harm the environment.

Dunkel · June 18, 2006

Thanks Rose! Aphids must be related to hippies, they don't seem to like soapy water much either!

Goddessemer6 · June 18, 2006

I used to live in N Cali, where all the hippies settled. I had a room mate that used to say "only hippies keep puppies on ropes" you know instead of on a leash...I guess nobody told them it's soap that's suppost to be on the rope! LOL

June 18, 2006	#1
Dunkel Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: West By God Virginia Posts: 245	Soapy water for Aphids? I try to garden as close to organic as possible. I noticed quite a few aphids on the underside of some foliage while I was tying up my maters today. I read somewhere about using 2 TBSP of Dawn dish washing liquid per 1 gallon of water as a cure. Has anyone used this method and if so does it hurt the foliage at all? Also on a limited budget so BT and other organic controls will only be used as a last resort if my plants start getting destroyed. Thanks in advance. __________________ I plant... Therefore I am. - Dunkel What the country needs is dirtier fingernails and cleaner minds. - Will Rogers

June 18, 2006	#2
Goddessemer6 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NV zone9a Posts: 134	Dawn will not hurt your foliage. I spray dawn and water on all my plants veggie or not when I see aphids...I usually mix in some kelp into the spray bottle as well when I spray to give the plants a little boost so they can recover. The dawn is a biodegradable surfactant which makes the kelp stick to the leaves of plants better, instead of dripping off. PS- Dawn is also phosphate free, which means it's the ideal soap to bring with you camping for dishes as it doesn't harm the environment. __________________ ~Rose The beauty of being human is the ability to choose compassion over cruelty!

June 18, 2006	#3
Dunkel Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: West By God Virginia Posts: 245	Thanks Rose! Aphids must be related to hippies, they don't seem to like soapy water much either! __________________ I plant... Therefore I am. - Dunkel What the country needs is dirtier fingernails and cleaner minds. - Will Rogers

June 18, 2006	#4
Goddessemer6 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NV zone9a Posts: 134	I used to live in N Cali, where all the hippies settled. I had a room mate that used to say "only hippies keep puppies on ropes" you know instead of on a leash...I guess nobody told them it's soap that's suppost to be on the rope! LOL __________________ ~Rose The beauty of being human is the ability to choose compassion over cruelty!